Atos 21
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 21
Wiersbe asks "why were so many believing Jews still clinging to the Law of Moses? Had they not read Romans and Galatians? Probably not, and even if they had, old customs are difficult to change. In fact, one day God would have to send a special letter to the Jews, the Epistle to the Hebrews, to explain the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. As Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to say, "The Book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrews to tell them to stop being Hebrews!" It was not until the city and the temple were destroyed in a.d. 70 that traditional Jewish worship ceased. Paul did warn the Gentiles not to get involved in the old Jewish religion (Gal. 4:1-11); but he nowhere told the Jews that it was wrong for them to practice their customs, so long as they did not trust in ceremony or make their customs a test of fellowship (Rom. 14:1-15:7). There was freedom to observe special days and diets, and believers were not to judge or condemn one another. The same grace that gave the Gentiles freedom to abstain also gave the Jews freedom to observe. All God asked was that they receive one another and not create problems or divisions. (Bible Exposition Commentary). Zealous (2207)(zelotes from zeo = to boil, be hot or glow) is a noun which here describes these believing Jews as fervently, enthusiastically devoted to the Law. Since zelotes is a noun, it should more accurately be translated as "zealots" (those who were zealous, an adjective) They were earnestly committed to their Jewish traditions. Paul uses this same word to describe himself in Acts 22:3+ declaring "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today." A T
Atos 21
Wiersbe - He agreed to do it. If it had been a matter involving somebody's personal salvation, you can be sure that Paul would never have cooperated; for that would have compromised his message of salvation by grace, through faith. But this was a matter of personal conviction on the part of Jewish believers who were given the freedom to accept or reject the customs. (Bible Exposition Commentary). Jack Arnold has an interesting comment - The leaders, fearing a division, accepted the philosophy of peace at any price. We will find out that the taking of the vow did not appease the critics for they were in sin for judging Paul, listening to hearsay and having a critical spirit. Critical people must deal with their sinful attitudes before God. Until they repent, they will never be appeased. (Sermon) J
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Wiersbe quips "With their emotions running at full speed, and their brains in neutral, these men argued: (1) wherever Paul went, his Gentile friends went; (2) Paul was seen in the temple; therefore, his friends had been in the temple too! Such is the logic of prejudice." (BEC) Trophimus - 3x in NT - Acts 20:4; Acts 21:29; 2 Tim. 4:20 Related Resources: Easton's Bible Dictionary Trophimus Fausset Bible Dictionary Trophimus Holman Bible Dictionary Trophimus Hitchcock Bible Names Trophimus Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Trophimus Hastings' Dictionary of the NTTrophimus And they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple - NET = "into the inner temple courts." See the preceding discussion for more detail of where Paul had allegedly brought Trophimus. They did not say Paul had simply brought him into the Temple complex, for it was not illegal with the Jews to bring a Gentile into the Court of the Gentiles. Clearly, they are accusing him of taking a Gentile through the barrier beyond which no Gentile could pass without risking a death sentence by the Jews (this is one area the Romans allowed the Jews to execute any Gentile transgressor - read Josephus Wars 6.2.4). Supposed (thought) (3543)(nomizo from nomos = law, custom) means to think or believe something without being fully settled in mind or opinion. To suppose something that is not true (e.g., Moses wrongly supposed the Israelites would understand God had sent him to deliver them; in Acts 8:20 of Simon's false assumption he could buy the Holy Spirit's power, of the Philippian jailer's nearly fatal supposition that the prisoners had escaped). In short they made the presumption that Paul was guilty of this religious crime. They fabricated this charge. Can you see how illogical their false charge was? If Paul was participating in the purification rite himself, it would be absurd to think he would carry out an act that would produce ritual defilement!